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Non-Linear Mathematics for Mixed Signal Microsystems (NLMMSM)
Program Manager: Dr. Dennis Healy
Overview
Dealing with non-linearity: Military sensing and communication systems operate in challenging environments where very high linear dynamic range is required to detect small targets or signals in the presence of electromagnetic interference and clutter. Taken together with the simultaneous trend towards very high instantaneous bandwidths, this requirement poses significant design tradeoff challenges for the DoD's current and envisioned sensor systems.
Designers of these systems must address severe performance limitations in dynamic range stemming from the nonlinear responses of individual receiver/transmitter components including low noise amplifiers, power amplifiers, mixers, analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), and digital-to-analog converters (DACs).
Vision Statement
The NLMMSM program will demonstrate a significant linearity enhancement capability based upon an advanced digital signal post-processing approach, implemented using a high-performance, very large scale integration (VLSI) chip. This real time, low power appliqué will offer over 25 dB of additional dynamic ranged in a wideband (500MHz) RF front end, enabling wideband high-dynamic range sensor systems to be developed in a cost effective manner.